PHILIPPE COUTINHO

Barcelona are preparing to submit a fresh bid in excess of £100 million for Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, according to the Daily Express

The Catalans have so far failed with bids of £72 million and £90 million for the Brazilian who lodged a transfer request on Friday.

The Reds value their star midfielder at £145 million – and continue to be reluctant to sell.

The saga could continue until the end of the transfer window as Barcelona seek a replacement for Neymar.

RATING: 7/10

SPORT360 VERDICT

Coutinho has been the subject of interest from Barcelona in the past, but it now looks likely he will leave Anfield after submitting a transfer request.

The playmaker only signed a new five-year deal in January which made him the club’s highest earner on £150,000 per week, and with no release clause, the club are in a strong position if they are to negotiate with the Spanish giants.

Liverpool will not want to lose a player of his calibre, but a £140 million fee would be difficult to withstand.

Philippe Coutinho

IVAN PERISIC

Manchester United are set to launch a third bid for Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic, according to the Mirror.

United have had two bids for the Croatian rejected, but it is believed the Red Devils are close to meeting his £48 million asking price.

Jose Mourinho has made no secrets of his desire to sign a pacy winger, and the versatile 28-year-old looks a perfect fit for United’s hard-working midfield system.

Perisic was impressive in Serie A last season, scoring 11 goals in 38 games.

RATING: 5/10

SPORT360 VERDICT

Perisic is a fans’ favourite at the San Siro and Inter will do all they can to keep last season’s dream team together.

Although Mourinho admitted that only 75 per cent of his transfer targets have been delivered this transfer window, it looks unlikely Ed Woodward will shell out nearly £50 million for a player who will turn 29 in February.

Ivan Perisic

DANNY DRINWKATER

Chelsea are planning a second bid worth £25 million for Leicester City star Danny Drinkwater, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Blues already had a £15 million rejected – but Antonio Conte is planning a more improved offer as they seek to sign three more players before the end of the transfer window.

Conte has been impressed with the 27-year-old’s work rate and wanted to sign him last season but the Foxes wouldn’t sanction a double swoop – with N’Golo Kante already putting pen to paper on a deal at Stamford Bridge.

RATING: 6/10

SPORT360 VERDICT

Leicester will again have no interest in selling Drinkwater, so it’s a matter of how much the player himself wants to leave.

The Englishman only put pen to paper on a new four-year contract last summer so he may be tempted to stay around the comforts of the King Power Stadium.

However, with Nemanja Matic leaving Stamford Bridge, there remains a position to fill, and a move for Drinkwater would put him in a formidable position of challenging for trophies once again.

The Borussia Dortmund youngster has emerged as Barcelona’s No. 1 target to replace Neymar, but Real Madrid will fight their bitter rivals for Dembele’s signature, according to RAC-1.

Dembele is reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona, but is also coveted by Madrid, who have previously enquired about the Frenchman. Los Blancos hope their relationship with Dortmund will help them land their man.

RATING: 5/10

SPORT360 VERDICT: Dortmund have insisted that Dembele is not for sale, and reportedly it would take a bid of around £135m to make them budge. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have the funds to sanction a big move, but will either actually go that far?

What is likely to happen is that one club makes its interest even more concrete, prompting the other to try to out-bid. The biggest winners here will be the Bundesliga side who either get at least one more season of an exciting, talented youngster, or a huge transfer fee.

Wanted man: Dembele.

ANGEL DI MARIA

Marcais reporting that the former Real Madrid winger is the third-choice target for Barcelona in their list of potential Neymar replacements. Philippe Coutinho and Dembele are the players above the Argentine on Barcelona’s wishlist, but Di Maria is also seriously being considered as a replacement.

RATING: 3/10

SPORT360 VERDICT: Given that PSG are confident that their purchase of Neymar is in compliance with financial fair play rules, the club is under little pressure to sell one of its most talented players. And even if they must sell, there are other players they’d prefer offloading, given what Di Maria can offer.

Will the former Real man move to Barcelona?

GARETH BALE

Although the Real Madrid winger is coveted by Manchester United, the club is not willing to go above £90m to land the Welshman, Diario Gol claim. United’s stance may prove to be a sticking point in any transfer, as Bale cost Madrid £86m in 2013 and the club reportedly will only consider selling him for a large profit.

RATING: 4/10

SPORT360 VERDICT: The chatter surrounding Bale this summer has been varied, with reports suggesting he is the most vulnerable of Madrid’s ‘BBC’ frontline, especially if the club buy another attacking player, to other reports claiming Madrid will absolutely not accept him being sold.

The fact remains, however, that for now Bale has been usurped by Isco and thus his place in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI is not guaranteed. The 28-year-old is determined to prove his worth at Madrid.